Key hanger support for key cases



Feb. 5, 1957 M. v. DUELL 2,780,089

KEY HANGER SUPPORT FOR KEY C ASES Filed Oct. 11, 1951 Mean llflusu BY ATToxE z United States Patent KEY HANGER SUPPORT FOR KEY CASES Morgan V. Duell, Oakville, Conn., assignor to Buxton,

Incorporated, Springfield, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 11, 1951, Serial No. 250,888

9 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) This invention relates to an improvement in supporting devices adapted to be secured to key cases for releasably supporting key hangers, such as loops or hooks which carry the keys, the hangers being provided with enlarged heads by which they are held in slots in the support. This type of hanger is well known and further description of them is believed unnecessary.

One object of the invention is to provide a key hanger support which permits individual connection or release of the key hangers more easily than prior constructions and in an improved manner.

Another object is to provide a key hanger having few parts, and the parts of which can be formed and assembled more easily and at lower cost.

A further and more specific object is to provide a construction which permits the support to be made in only two parts, and which permits the spring which normally holds the parts in hanger lock position to be formed integral with one of the parts.

Other and further objects residing in the details of the construction will be made apparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the key hanger support attached to a case, the latter being broken away, the parts being shown in locking position, and a key hanger, of loop form, being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the key hanger support;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the key hanger support;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the key hanger support with the locking member removed;

Fig. is a section substantially on line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the body of the key hanger support is formed;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the locking member is formed;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the locking member removed from the support, parts being broken away;

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the parts in unlocking position; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the parts shown in unlocking position.

Referring to the drawings, the support is shown as comprising a body member, generally indicated at 1, and a locking member, generally indicated at 2. The members may be formed and shaped from any suitable material, but preferably, and as shown, they are bent or die pressed from blanks of sheet metal.

As shown the body member 1 is formed from a blank as indicated at 3 in Fig. 7. The blank 3 is provided with one or more hanger retaining slots 4 which terminate in enlarged openings 5 through which the enlarged heads of the hangers may be introduced into or removed from 2,780,089 Patent ed Feb. 5, 1957 the slots. The blank is also provided with pairs of openings 6 and 7 for receiving rivets, or other fastening means, by which the support is secured to a key case, and with a notch 8 and a slot 9 the functions of which will later appear.

The blank is bent or pressed to a tubular shape as best shown Figs. 4, 5 and 6, with the slots 4 extending transversely of a generally cylindrical upper portion 10 of the tube, and with the enlarged openings 5 positioned at the top and slightly rearwardly of the crest of the tubular portion (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The longitudinal marginal portions of the blank are shaped to form the lower part of the tube into a portion 11 which is generally rectangular in cross section. As best shown in Fig. 4 the pairs of rivet openings 6 and 7 are brought into alignment by the shaping operation.

The locking member is formed from a blank as indicated at 12 in Fig. 8. The blank 12 is provided with one or more projections 13 each having a tooth portion 14 extending from one side edge thereof, elongated rivet clearing openings 15, and with projections 16, 17, 18 and 19, the functions of which will shortly be explained.

The blank 12 is bent or pressed to a shape best shown in Fig. 9, the projections 13 being curved forwardly to conform to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 10 (Fig. 5) and projections 16 and 17 are bent at substantially right angles to the main portion of the blank (Fig. 9). The extension 13 which has been turned at a right angle by the bending of projection 16 is bent up wardly into an open U-shape to form a spring. The end portion of extension 1% is bent rearwardly to form a pin or hook 20 The shaped locking member 2 is inserted in the tubular portion of the body member 1 from the right hand end thereof as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. The various projections and extensions are so positioned that as the locking member 2 is inserted into the tube the free end of spring 18 engages in notch 8 and in the further movement of the locking member is compressed to resist the further movement of the locking member inwardly of the body member. As the locking member is pressed further into the tube pin 20 which has been riding over the rear wall of the rectangular portion 11 snaps into the slot 9, under the spring action of portion 19. This completes the assembly of the support. In the position of outward move.- ment to which the locking member is limited by the pin 20 (which is the normal position of the parts) the projections 13 clear both the slots 4 and the openings 5, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the teeth 14 extend transversely of the slots 4 at the entrance from the slots to their enlarged openings 5. The length of slot 9 is sufiicient to permit the locking member 2 to be moved inwardly from this normal or locking position to a second or unlocking position, shown in Figs, 10 and 11 in which the teeth 14 clear the slots 4 permitting free passage between the slots 4 and their enlarged openings which latter remain open in both extreme positions of the locking mem-- her 2 and throughout the movement of the latter from one extreme position to the other.

When the parts are in the locking position of Figs, 1, 2 and 3 the projection 16, which is preferably domed outwardly as shown, extends outwardly of the entrance end of the tubular portion of the body member 1 to form a finger piece by which the locking member may be moved inwardly to the unlocking position of Figs. 10 and 11 by a pinching action between the thumb and forefinger as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

As will be apparent when the parts are in the unlocked position of Figs. 10 and ll the enlarged head 25 of a hanger, such as is shown in dotted lines at as, Figs. 1 and 2 may be inserted through any of the enlarged openings 5 and passed directly into the connecting slot where, upon 13 release of the locking member, it is retained, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, until the locking member is moved so that the tooth 14 again clears the slot.

Preferably, and as best shown in Pig. 3 the edges of teeth 14 which face the slots 5 make angle a with the side of the slot adjacent the entrance end of the tubular portion 16, which is at least a right angle so that any pres sure of the key hanger has no tendency to move the menber 2 to unlocking po inch. The edge of the teeth facing the enlarged opening preferably, and as shown, makes an angle b with said edge of the slot when is l .h' right angle. By this arrangement when a hanger a.) is entered into any of the enlarged openings 5 with the parts in locking position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig, 2 and is forced against the tooth barring entrance to the connecting slot 4, the singularity o djaccnt e go of the tooth imparts a component of. force in a direction to move the locking member towards unlocking position zgainst the action of spring permitting the hanger to be moved into the connecting slot after which the spring automatically returns the locking member to locked position. 011cc connected to the support a hanger can only be removed by pressure applied to the finger piece 16.

As will be apparent from Fig. 5 the projection 17 fits within the cylindrical portion it sufficiently closely to prevent, with the other parts of the locking member within portions 1% and ll, any rocking movement of the locking member 2, substantially limiting the locking member to movement axially of the tubular portions ol? the body member.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6 the support may be secur l to a wall 2'7 or": a key case by means of rivets passing through aligned openings '7' of the body member and elongated openings 15 in the lockin member. The length of openings i5 is sufiicient to p tit free movement of the locking member within the limits of the pin and slot connection it will be understood that in practice, whatever the number of slots 4 which are provided in the support, that each slot will be supplied with a hanger. Since the support of the present invention may be used with any de sired for-m of headed hanger and the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the support, as defined in the appended claims, full complement of hangers has not been shown.

What is claimed is:

l. A key hanger support for lacy cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, a locking member slidably mounted in the body member for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said lock member having a projection positioned to bar the entrance from the slot to the enlarged opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the look ing member, said locking member having a narrow elongated spring-forming extension engaging a fixed portion of the body member to normally maintain the locking m .nber in t l first position, and a finger piece carried by the locking member for moving the latter from said first position to said second position against the action. of said spring.

2. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said membc' including a tubular portion having a transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into an from slot, a locking member slidably mounted in the body memher for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said locking member having a projection positioned to bar the entrance from the slot to the enlarged opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking mem- 4 her, a narrow elongated spring-forming projection extending from one of said members and having a free end engaging the other of said members to resist movement of the locking member inwardly from one end of the tubular portion, means limiting the movement of the locking member outwardly of said end of the tubular portion. under the action of said spring to said first position, and means extending from the locking member outwardly of said end of the tubular portion to provide a finger piece for moving the locking member inwardly of the tubular portion from said first position to said second position against the action of said spring-forming projection.

3. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member having tubular upper and lower portions, the upper portion being substantially cylindrical in cross section and the lower portion being substantially rectangular in cross section, said cylindrical portion having a transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, 3. locking member slidably mounted in said lower tubular portion for movement axially thereof, the upper edge of the locking member extending into said cylindrical portion and having a projection positioned to bar the entrance from the slot to the enlarged opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking member, a narrow elongated spring-forming projection extending from one of said members and having a free end engaging the other member to resist movement of the locking member inwardly from one end of the tubular portions, a spring finger projecting from the locking memher, a slot formed in the wall of the lower tubular portion in which said finger engages to limit the movement the locking member outwardly of said end of the tubular portions under the action of said spring to said first position, and means extending from the locking member outwardly of said end of one of the tubular portions to provide a finger piece for moving the locking member inwardly of the tubular portions from said first position to said second position.

4. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having a transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, a locking member slidably mounted in the body memher for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said locking member having a projection, all parts of said locking member including said projection being positioned to clear said opening in all positions of permitted movement of the locking member, a tooth projecting from a side of the end portion of said projection and positioned to extend transversely across the slot at the entrance to said opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking member, a spring means normally maintaining the locking member in said first position and means for moving the locking member from said first position to said second position against the action of said spring.

5. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having a transverse'hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, a locking member slidably mounted in the body member for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said locking member having a projection p0 sitioned to clear said opening in all positions of permitted movement of the locking member, a tooth projecting from a side of the end portion of said projection and positioned to extend transversely across the slot at the entrance to said opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking member, a spring- 2,7so,oss

forming projection extending from one of said members and having a free end engaging the other of said members to resist movement of the locking member inwardly from one end of the tubular portion, means limiting movement of the locking member outwardly of said end of the tubular portion to said first position, and means extending from the locking member outwardly of said end to provide a finger piece for moving the looking member from said first position to said second position.

6. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having a transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, a locking member slidably mounted in the body member for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said locking member having a projection positioned to clear said opening in all positions of permitted movement of the locking member, a tooth projecting from a side of the end portion of said projection and positioned to extend transversely across the slot at the entrance to said opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking member, a spring means to resist movement of the locking member inwardly from one end of the tubular member, means limiting movement of the locking member outwardly of said end to said first position, and means extending from the locking member for moving the latter from said first position to said second position, the edge of said tooth facing said slot making an angle with the side of the slot adjacent said end of at least 90 and the edge of the tooth facing the enlarged opening making an angle with said side of the slot of less than 90.

7. A key hanger support assembly for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having a transverse hanger retaining slot terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, and a locking member, said locking member being insertable into the tubular portion .of the body member through one end thereof and provided with a projection positioned to bar the entrance from the slot to the enlarged opening when the locking member is inserted a predetermined distance within the tubular portion, a rigid abutment formed on one of said members and a spring catch carried by the other of said members, said abutment and catch being positioned for interengagement when said projection reaches said entrance barring position to restrain the locking member from movement outwardly of the tubular portion, said catch member and abutment having an extent of lost motion beyond their point of initial engagement to permit further movement of the locking member inwardly of the tubular portion to move said projection beyond the entrance from the slot to said enlarged opening, and a spring member compressible upon said further movement of the locking member.

8. A key hanger support assembly for key cases as recited in claim 7 in which the abutment comprises the end of a slot formed in the body member, said spring catch being accessible through said slot to permit release of the catch from said abutment. to thereby permit withdrawal of the locking member from the tubular portion.

9. A key hanger support for key cases which comprises a body member adapted to be fixed to a key case, said member including a tubular portion having a plurality of transverse hanger retaining slots each terminating in an enlarged opening for insertion and removal of a hanger into and from the slot, a locking member slidably carried by the body member for limited movement axially of the tubular portion, said locking member having projections equal in number to said slots, all parts of said locking member including all of said projections being positioned to clear all of said openings in all positions of permitted movement of said locking member sufiiciently to permit the introduction of a hanger through said openings in all positions of the slide, said projections each having an edge positioned to extend transversely across the entrance to said opening in one position of movement of the locking member and to clear the entrance in a second position of the locking member, a spring means normally maintaining the locking member in said first position and means for moving the locking member from said first position to said second position against the action of said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,908,846 Howe May 16, 1933 1,959,207 Howe May 15, 1934 2,114,172 Boden Apr. 12, 1938 2,582,033 Harvey Jan. 8, 1952 2,583,360 Duell Jan. 22, 1952 2,624,192 Elliflf Jan. 6, 1953 2,630,700 Boden et al. .(Mar. 10, 1953 i 

